Originally previewed earlier this month in an episode of the hit Paramount+ series Landman, the song – now available for streaming and download - was written by Gibbons with Landman stars Billy Bob Thornton (Tommy Norris) and Mark Collie (Sherriff Walt Joeberg).
Produced by the guitarist, the song arrives in sync with the start of a solo tour by Gibbons and his band The BFG that includes Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Chris “Whipper” Layton and Austin music stalwart Mike “The Drifter” Flanigin.
Gibbons and Thornton have been friends for many years; the actor had decades ago been a member of Tres Hombres, a ZZ Top tribute band for which he played drums. Billy Gibbons cited them as “The best little cover band in Texas.” Thornton co-founded The Boxmasters in 2007 and toured with them as recently as this past fall. Mark Collie, likewise, has pursued a career in music with numerous country chart recordings to his credit as well as his having written songs for Aaron Tippin, Alabama, Garth Brooks and Tim McGraw, among others. He’s also recorded with Thornton and The Boxmasters.
“It seemed really natural to team up with Billy Bob and Mark to write a song for Landman,” says Gibbons. “‘Livin’ It Up Down In Texas’ isn’t, per se, autobiographical, but does encapsulate the oil-stained Lone Star lifestyle as seen each week in the series.”
Gibbons and the band open the month-long trek with four shows at the Blue Note Hawaii in Honolulu, HI starting this weekend, and the guitarist will rejoin ZZ Top to resume dates on the band’s Elevation Tour.
Get your copy of the ZZ Top collection “Goin’ 50” here.
See also:
ZZ Top expands Elevation tour
ZZ Top guitarist Billy Gibbons announces US tour dates
ZZ Top announce first European tour in five years
ZZ Top and Lynyrd Skynyrd announce 2024 North American tour
New ZZ Top album to feature late bassist Dusty Hill
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